Federal Government Files Treason Charges Against Timipre Sylva and Alleged Coup Plotters
The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated legal proceedings, filing a 13-count charge of treason and terrorism against former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and six other individuals for an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's administration [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8]. The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuse the defendants of conspiring in 2025 to "levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria" [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8].
Among the defendants are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9]. Timipre Sylva is listed as a defendant but is currently "at large," with security agencies reportedly still seeking his whereabouts [1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9].
The charges also include failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Prosecutors allege that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji and others but failed to report it to the authorities [1, 2, 4, 5, 7].
The legal action follows months of investigation, including raids and intelligence gathering by the Defence Intelligence Agency [6, 9]. In October 2025, the Federal Government had cancelled the Independence Day parade, a move that was later reportedly linked to an alleged coup attempt, though the Defence Headquarters denied any connection at the time [1, 8]. Subsequently, 16 military officers were arrested, and two declared wanted, with the Defence Headquarters confirming in January 2026 that an internal investigation had established a plan to overthrow President Tinubu [1].
The six present defendants were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court on April 22, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the charges [2, 9]. The prosecution alleges that the group conspired to destabilize the Nigerian state and forcibly remove the current administration through acts of terrorism [3, 6, 9]. Specific counts include planning to forcefully take over the government, concealing treason, and financing terrorism through the retention of millions of naira intended to fund the insurrection [6].
Among the defendants are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani [1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9]. Timipre Sylva is listed as a defendant but is currently "at large," with security agencies reportedly still seeking his whereabouts [1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9].
The charges also include failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Prosecutors allege that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji and others but failed to report it to the authorities [1, 2, 4, 5, 7].
The legal action follows months of investigation, including raids and intelligence gathering by the Defence Intelligence Agency [6, 9]. In October 2025, the Federal Government had cancelled the Independence Day parade, a move that was later reportedly linked to an alleged coup attempt, though the Defence Headquarters denied any connection at the time [1, 8]. Subsequently, 16 military officers were arrested, and two declared wanted, with the Defence Headquarters confirming in January 2026 that an internal investigation had established a plan to overthrow President Tinubu [1].
The six present defendants were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court on April 22, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the charges [2, 9]. The prosecution alleges that the group conspired to destabilize the Nigerian state and forcibly remove the current administration through acts of terrorism [3, 6, 9]. Specific counts include planning to forcefully take over the government, concealing treason, and financing terrorism through the retention of millions of naira intended to fund the insurrection [6].
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